Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/19/2008

Question
Hello, I am currently a Marine Corporal in the reserves. I have been in the Marines for about 4 and a half years. About one year ago I was sent to Ukraine for annual training. During a training exercise in Ukraine I suffered a heat stroke. After that event when I go on a hump my body overheats. I have been told that I will be given a medical discharge. No one has sat down with me and talked to me what will happen with me. I don't want to leave the corp, but If I do get discharged what is the Marine Corp going to do to me. I hear that I will be given benefits and I also hear about medical waivers. I would appreciate any advice. Thank you for you're time.


Answer
Dear Manuel --

Your training injury (overheating) has damaged your body's response to heat.  Sometimes you can overcome that problem and sometimes not.  If you have not been given enough time to recover before you begin arduous training again, your body may not ever recover and you will always be susceptible to heat injury (exhaustion or stroke).

If the military medical doctors have determined that you will not recover from your injury, they will send you to a board.  That board will determine if you have further value to the Corps despite your limitations.  If you do, they may offer to retrain you into a different field that will not require arduous marching, under load, in high heat.  If they decide that even with retraining your injury makes you vulnerable to further injury during military activities, they will recommend a medical separation, or a medical retirement.

With a medical separation, you get a lump sum payment, some routine care at the Veteran's Administration (VA) Hospitals specific to your injury, and some job rehabilitation training at the VA.

With a medical retirement, you get a small monthly payment for the rest of your life, medical care (at a small fee) for the rest of your life, and access to VA care and benefits for the rest of your life.  You also get access to the base exchange and commissary with your retirement ID card for the rest of your life.

To qualify for the medical retirement, you must convince the board that you intended to make the Marines your career.  The injury must also be solely due to military service.  

This can be a very long and confusing process.  Often there seems to be an intent to frustrate the injured service member so that they resign on their own (no benefits) or accept the separation (one time lump sum payment) instead of retirement.

Please write back, if you have additional questions, or you feel they are trying to force you out without taking care of your injuries and future.  Good luck to you.  Thank you for your service.